RAMALLAH, Jan 31 (JMCC) - As Western leaders call for Egyptian political reform, Israeli president Shimon Peres emphasized Israel's respect for the current Egyptian leader despite his authoritative regime. He added that Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak was a peace advocate which the alternative opposition coaltion led by the Muslim Brotherhood would not continue.

A fanatic religious oligarchy is not better than lack of democracy, Peres said.

Speaking of the dilemma currently confronting Mubarak, Peres said, We still have great respect for Mubarak. Not everything he did was right, but he worked to keep peace in the Middle East.

Peres said people think that democracy is only a legend. Democracy is more than that, he said. It also means peace and freedom.

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